Friday, August 30, 2013

Dive shop manager Marina Hernandez is carrying a heavy load as she tries to save the family business. On one shoulder rides a bucket of red ink. On the other, her father’s age-old cultural belief that women belong in the kitchen. Now that a cutthroat competitor has pushed her to the brink of bankruptcy, any chance she'll ever win her father’s respect is fading fast. The last thing she can afford right now is the complication of a tempting man.

After years of building his practice, pediatrician Brett Sutherland has changed his focus. He seeks a more well-rounded life, including a woman who'll devote herself to caring for a family. Workaholics need not apply. Then he signs up for scuba lessons, and Marina's luminous eyes and spirited personality turn his neat, logical plan upside down.

Brett's dazzling looks heat her blood, and his compassionate nature makes her yearn to build her own life - but not if it means letting the business collapse. A little harmless flirtation couldn't hurt, though. Yet with every kiss, she's stretched thinner between the promise of Brett's love and her father's expectations. Until a critical decision pushes them both to the breaking point...

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Schoolteacher Ellen Thurston never expected to find love in Pepin, Wisconsin. But the moment she discovers a baby boy outside her door, it's love at first sight. While the townsfolk don't approve of Ellen as a single mother, what worries her most are her feelings for the handsome farmer who defends her decision to keep the child.

Ellen is far above the reach of a German immigrant like Kurt Lang. Especially one weighted with responsibility. Kurt knows how hard it is to raise a child alone, but he will do whatever it takes to help make Ellen's dream of a family come true.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Tender to the Touch is a story about friendship. Rev. Jennifer Amanda King is caught off guard when decisions she made in her past catch up with her. Not only is her personal life disrupted. The lives of her closest and dearest friends are affected as well. Together, the friends pull together to try and make the best out of a troubling situation. But they discover that putting a patch on old wounds is not an easy endeavor.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I attended a reunion with several college friends and the experience was unforgettable. That weekend connected us in a different way. We became a stronger support system for one another, and have helped each other grow as women. I wanted to create a story that touched on some of the issues women face, and how important it is to have supportive people in our lives.

Did you have to do quite a bit of research for this book?

For this novel, I consulted a few professional social workers and counselors. I wanted to be sure that the way characters responded to specific issues in the story were realistic. It was important that I did not impart how I felt a character should respond. There are a number of reasons why people react the way they do, and I wanted to remain unbiased and provide a storyline that allowed readers to really understand a person’s reason for doing something they know is wrong. I’m not in any way promoting wrong behaviors, but my prayer is that people will see that no matter how difficult life becomes, God does provide resources to help make life better. What do you hope readers will learn/discover from reading Tender to the Touch?

In life, we are all going to make bad decisions. Although the effects of those decisions may be damaging, there is a lesson that can be learned from them. When we are going through difficult times, sometimes it is hard to feel God’s presence, or envision how our situation can change. This story shows readers that despite our mistakes, He still gives us the strength to make it through another day, and He blesses us with special friendships to help us along the journey.

Do you have upcoming events for readers? Please tell us.

I will be visiting a number of book clubs to discuss my novel. I am planning to attend a few conferences and luncheons as well. Please visit my website for details as events and dates are confirmed.

What's next for you?

I am currently working on the sequel to Tender to the Touch, which is scheduled to release near the end of 2014.

Where can readers find you online?Readers can visit my website at www.nicolerouse.net.

About the Author

Nicole S. Rouse was born and raised in Philadelphia. She earned her degree from Temple University and is currently a managing editor at a major educational publishing company. Nicole’s debut novel, Happily Ever Now, consistently ranked on the Top 25 Christian Independent Publishers bestsellers lists after its 2007 release. Nicole’s sophomore novel, Someone to Love Me, was picked up by the Black Expressions Book Club® before its scheduled release date. Other books by Nicole include: Be Careful What You Pray For (2010), Still Standing (2012), and Tender to the Touch (2013).

During her spare time, she serves as an undergraduate advisor at Temple University for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., where she encourages the young adult women to dream beyond their expectations. She also teaches writing workshops to aspiring writers. Nicole is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and resides near Philadelphia, PA.

About the BookFor the past eleven years, Reverend J. Amanda King served as an anointed and powerful leader for the women’s ministry of Faith Tabernacle Church. Though thousands of women had been blessed by her leadership, J. Amanda was most fond of the ministry she built with five of her sorority sisters. To them she was more than a spiritual leader and counselor. She was their sister and true friend.

The bond of the sisterhood is tested when J. Amanda’s old flame, “Hunky” Crawford, resurfaces and pleasant memories of their life together seem more appealing than the one she shares with her husband, David. In time, J. Amanda remembers why she ultimately chose David over Hunky, but is she too late? Feeling rejected for a second time, Hunky exposes secrets that threaten to destroy J. Amanda’s relationship with her husband and line sisters forever and lead to a startling death.

Will J. Amanda salvage her relationships and get her life back on track? Or, will she give up on God and accept the consequences for turning her back on her faith?

Purchase the Book Online at:

Amazon.com

BarnesandNoble.com
For more information:

Visit the author online at:

http://www.nicolerouse.net

View the blog tour schedule at:

http://tywebbinvirtualevents.com/xdHYy

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

After seven long years in state prison, Tameka Williams is being set free. Unfortunately, all of the anger and resentment that she's lived with during her incarceration are being freed as well.

While Brook Mansfield-Banks was not pleased with the idea of her mortal enemy being released, she was ready to defend her family and show Tameka that she was no longer the naïve pushover that she once was. But, Brook has forgotten just how deep Tameka's wickedness runs. Now the fate of her child will once again be determined by Tameka Williams.

Mia Purcell has always been the loving and supportive friend. She was there for Brook through all of her trials and tribulations. Now with her marriage falling apart, she's the one that will need the strength of a true friend. There's only one problem, her marital issues have a strange connection with Tameka. Mia and Tameka find themselves working together in order to uncover the truth about the men in their lives. But is this unlikely duo more than Brook can stand? She will have to dig deep and put her hatred for Tameka aside if she wants to be the friend that Mia desperately needs.

Stacey Covington-Lee is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She has written multiple manuals and training guides for various companies and local government. However, it was her love for literature that led her to pin her first novel in 2009. Since that time, Stacey has written several short stories and two additional novels. Her first published novel, The Knife in My Back, was released by Delphine Publications November 2012. Her sophomore novel, The Knife In My Back II, was released July 2013. Stacey continues to live in an Atlanta suburb with her family and is currently working on her next novel. Visit her at www.staceycovingtonlee.com for excerpts of The Knife In My Back and The Knife In My Back II.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Fourteen year old high school freshman Nyl Person is the boy every freshman girl at Fairley High would like to call boyfriend. He is popular, cute and one of the leading players on the high school varsity basketball team. Sierra James with her thick locks of natural hair and the captain of the Fairley High cheerleading squad, is pretty, smart and the most popular girl in ninth grade, and she has a mission to make Nyl her boyfriend. Nyl likes her too and would jump at the chance to have Sierra as his girlfriend. But it isn't so easy for Nyl because he has a secret that no one at Fairley knows about which is Nyl, his little sister and his father have practically been living in the family Yukon since the death of his mom. What will happen if his secret comes out? What will he do? What about the girl he wants to make his girlfriend, Sierra James. Can she fall for a homeless boy when she practically lives in the lap of luxury?

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Stepping Down - Mark Carter III founded New Vision Community Church six years ago. His wife, a reluctant first lady, feels like a church widow, and their teenage son needs a hands-on father now more than ever...but what would happen to the church if Mark stepped down for a while to shepherd his own family? After Mark is involved in a suspicious car accident, he won't have to wait long to find out.

About The Author

Michelle Stimpson is an author, a speaker, and an educator who received her Bachelor of Science degree from Jarvis Christian College in 1994. She earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2002. She has had the pleasure of teaching elementary, middle, and high school as well as training adults.

In addition to her work in the field of education, Michelle ministers through writing and public speaking. Her works include the highly acclaimed Boaz Brown, Divas of Damascus Road (National Bestseller), and Falling Into Grace, which has been optioned by Paulist Productions for a movie of the week. She has published several short stories for high school students through her educational publishing company, Right Track Academic Support Services, at www.wegottaread.com.

Michelle serves in women's ministry at her home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. She also ministers to women and writers through her blog. Michelle regularly speaks at special events and writing workshops sponsored by churches, schools, book clubs, and educational organizations.

The Stimpsons are proud parents of two young adults and one crazy dog.

Pastor Mark Wayne Carter, III cast his drooping eyes on the clock ticking away on the wall
directly across from his desk. Last year his wife, Sharla, had lowered the clock so that it stared at
him while he was sitting in his gold-studded leather executive chair.

“I know you’re busy doing the Lord’s work, but it would be nice to see you home before the
sun goes down sometimes,” she had nagged as she pounded a nail into the wall. She positioned
the clock in its new location, then put both hands on her hips. “If you can see the clock, you might actually keep track of how much time you’re spending here in your office.”

Mark didn’t like to fight with her about his devotion to New Vision Church. The church
was his life’s purpose, the reason he’d walked away from his short, but well-paying career as an insurance salesman. This church had given him a sense of accomplishment he’d never experienced in all his months as top-producer at StateWay Insurance.

More than anything, Mark hoped that New Vision Church would be the reason Jesus said,
“Well done, my good and faithful servant,” to him one day.

Late Saturday nights came with the territory, which was one reason he hired a very young man as his assistant and semi-mentee. At thirty-eight years old, Mark was no old goat, but he wasn’t bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, either. He needed an assistant to knock on the door every hour or so and make sure Mark hadn’t fallen asleep at the computer.

Review

This is the story of Mark Carter, III, founder and pastor of New Vision church, a thriving, soon to be megachurch, if he sticks to his plan. He loves his life...if he could just find time to spend with his wife, Sharla and 13 year old son, Amani. Sharla regularly expresses her displeasure at being at the bottom of his list and Amani exhibits signs of neglect as only a teen can. And neglect isn't the only problem plaguing this family. Mark gets a Heavenly nudge to do something about his church-aholism, but he ignores it and trudges on. God intervenes in Mark's plan and ultimately helps get Mark, his family and His church back on track with His plan. If you've ever read one of Ms. Stimpson's books, you know that in between my summary above is a wild ride. This book had one of the most unpredictable plots ever...and then she added Mama B in the mix; need I say more? I think I will. I loved the dialogue throughout, especially between Sharla and Amani...classic. But best of all for me was the infusion of spiritual wisdom throughout. It will make you smile, say "ouch" and if you apply it to your life, you will definitely grow. Well done, Ms Stimpson and keep them coming. Karen Rodgers

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A Collection of God's Word and Motivation is a book about encouragement and practical situations that people can relate to. It is not just any ordinary book, but an antidote for curing worries, depression, stress, and struggles.

God's word is powerful and encouraging. It was written to help others who need encouragement. We can't go through life without encouragement, and we definitely can't go through life without self-encouragement. There are times when we don't have the energy to complete our daily tasks, so we look for some type of humor from our friends, family, or even co-workers. We choose to be happy or sad, mad or neutral. A dose of encouraging words can help release that ticking bomb that's in your head, ready to explode. Tension and stress aren't healthy. That's why God said to give all of our worries, troubles, and burdens to Him. Let the nourishment of His encouraging words shine upon your heart.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Linda Beed is an author, educator, speaker, storyteller and children’s minister. She earned her Master of Theology (Magna Cum Laude) and Doctorate of Religious Education from A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology where she is now faculty emeritus.

She is the founder and president of On Assignment Publications.

Dr. Linda is the founder and president of The Write Plan a course for those seeking to become writers and to learn the business side of the craft. In support for others she has shared her articles at Shades of Romance Online Magazine, Blogging in Black and is co-moderator of Real Sister Writers.

Her one-woman presentation, ‘Tell Them’ relays the last day of Carol Denise McNair, the youngest victim of the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. Coupled with a carefully developed workshop the presentation serves to encourage children to seek to make a difference. The adult version speaks to the necessity of nurturing our children toward purpose.

Business Unusual brought Bernadette Lewis and Hayes Davis together. Through the Fire brings the face-to-face with what most consider insurmountable obstacles challenge more than their march toward the altar.

The Hayes Davis who left Seattle is not the man who returns…

He has a new outlook on life that leads him to believe he has become the man Bernadette Lewis deserves to marry. Hayes is also a man with more than normal vision; he has the ability to periodically see the future of people and situations. It is a gift that both encourages and causes him to question his desires. Unfortunately what he desires and what transpires are two different things.

When his seemingly perfect world begins to crumble, Hayes discovers how far he is willing to go to protect the ones he loves. Within a short period of time Hayes’ desire to marry, support his community and lend a hand to one in need, leads to the unbelievable. When Hayes is accused of a horrendous crime, he loses custody of the children he has sworn to protect. Now those who once supported him, question his guilt or innocence.

Through the Fire is an intriguing work that speaks to the character of faith and the reward of obedience.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Shroud of Turin is the most studied and controversial religious relic in human history. The ancient linen cloth bears the image of a man, alleged to be that of Jesus of Nazareth. What if it were real? What if it contained a secret powerful enough to alter the course of human history? And what if it fell into the wrong hands? Manny Lusum is convinced the Shroud is the genuine article and obsessed with proving it scientifically. Grace Barden is not only Manny's best friend, but she's also secretly in love with the physics student and soon-to-be Catholic priest. Across the globe, three grisly murders and the theft of a secret manuscript thrust Grace and Manny into a generations-old conspiracy of biblical proportions. From New York to Rome to the inner sanctum of the Vatican, they struggle to untangle a bizarre mystery surrounding the controversial artifact. In a dramatic confrontation between faith and the ultimate evil on the world stage, Grace and Manny are pushed to the edge of an abyss, balanced between heaven and hell.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

LIFE, is a poetry book of 50 poems about my life's journey as a Christian woman going through one of the most life changing experiences. I began to write this book while being homeless, living in a shelter, and continuing to go through as a woman of God. My book is about overcoming life's struggles. And God has defined what I went through with the title, LIFE. Keeping that relationship with Jesus.

About The Author

Born on April 6, 1980, in Birmingham, Alabama, Diana Strickland had a gift of writing, speaking, and singing. She wrote her first book in elementary and was often the poet to represent her class. Her mother acknowledges that Diana was not a crying baby but she yelled. Her voice was very strong then and still is strong now. Her mother moved her family out of the projects to give them a better and healthier life. Diana Strickland no longer had her teachers to groom and support her so she became very fearful. Her fears paralyzed her and she didn’t speak or write until she was a full grown woman serving GOD.

In 2004 Diana Strickland was married and moved to New Jersey. When her marriage failed she cried out to Jesus in her bathtub. She was tired of a string of mistakes and lies. Her life was in circles like a rollercoaster ride that was not enjoyable. She threw up her hands and surrendered to Jesus. She rededicated her life to JESUS and became a true Christian. God had worked with her and given her another opportunity. She began to complete her first poetry book and created a ministry website called Believer To Believer. Things were finally looking really hopeful for her. She was committed and was taking her life’s choices seriously. However with all the new love and growth Diana Strickland would have her faith tested with disappointments and heartbreak not far.

In 2007 Diana Strickland was terminated from both of her jobs. Diana lost almost everything of value in her life except CHRIST JESUS. She moved around two different homes before settling down in a shelter. At this point Diana was homeless, living in a shelter, and struggling being poor. But her faith never wavered although it was tested. Diana began to write poems to her second book, LIFE, while going through this season. In Diana’s latest book, LIFE, she "provides an honest spiritual analysis of a woman who learns that throughout her greatest challenges, her ever-increasing faith holds the key to a future of unbelievable promise!”

Today Diana Strickland is a student at Abundant Life Bible Institute to obtain her Associates degree in Theology. She is employed with two published poetry books and a ministry website. She also ministers her poetry at different events. Diana Strickland has her hands full but by the grace of God she will accomplish all that God has planned. She proudly shares her testimony without looking down.

Book Excerpt

CROSSROADS

YOUR PAST IS YOUR PRESENT

Your Past Is Your Present

don’t bring up what you did
but your present speaks loud and clear
what you use to do is what you do
you haven’t matured
my mom once said
there’s nothing like an old fool
Your Past Is Your Present
singing the same tune
this man hurt you
like the last one did
the tears even fall the same
you have no sympathy here
you haven’t learned a thing
Your Past Is Your Present
drama mama
confusion and strife
up and through your life
you can’t sit down
your world is crazy
and it’s been that way for years

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tameka Williams is a smart girl from the wrong side of the tracks who has always longed for the good life. When Tameka meets Brook Mansfield, she feels as though she’s been given a wonderful gift and access to everything she’s ever wanted. Brook is a beautiful, smart, naive and wealthy woman that was happy to extend the hand of friendship. Tameka took full advantage of Brook’s forgiving and generous heart and made no secret of her intentions to gain all that she could from her friend. But when jealousy pushes Tameka to the edge of insanity, she makes the mistake of destroying the one thing that meant the most to Brook. Now it’s time for the tables to turn and Brook will make sure that everything Tameka Williams holds dear is destroyed.

Stacey Covington-Lee is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She has written multiple manuals and training guides for various companies and local government. However, it was her love for literature that led her to pin her first novel in 2009. Since that time, Stacey has written several short stories and two additional novels. Her first published novel, The Knife in My Back, was released by Delphine Publications November 2012. Her sophomore novel, The Knife In My Back II, was released July 2013. Stacey continues to live in an Atlanta suburb with her family and is currently working on her next novel. Visit her at www.staceycovingtonlee.com for excerpts of The Knife In My Back and The Knife In My Back II.

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Chelle isn’t a typical 13-year-old girl—she doesn’t laugh with friends, play sports, or hang out at the mall after school. Instead, she navigates a world well beyond her years.

Life in Dawson, ND spins on as she grasps at people, pleading for someone to save her—to return her to the simple childhood of unicorns on her bedroom wall and stories on her father’s knee.

When Troy Christiansen walks into her life, Chelle is desperate to believe his arrival will be her salvation. So much so, she forgets to save herself. After experiencing a tragedy at school, her world begins to crack, causing a deeper scar in her already fragile psyche.

Follow Chelle’s twisted tale of modern adolescence, as she travels down the rabbit hole into a reality none of us wants to admit actually exists.

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Monday, August 05, 2013

In this emotionally charged and inspiring novel about a love triangle, secrets between best friends threaten to blow up friendships and a marriage and change lives forever.

When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey, dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her.

Jamal and Chauncey grew up together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned. . . .

What's your favorite Victoria Christopher Murray's book? Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Never Say Never.

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Thursday, August 01, 2013

Charlene and Raven, mother and daughter, are woven together by blood, but separated and haunted by circumstance: personal struggles, concealed demons and uncovered skeletons.

Fifteen-year-old Charlene Shaw is frustrated with life. She embodies every young woman’s starry-eyed dreams and heads for Hollywood. On her rugged road to fame, Charlene’s using everything in her might to erase the past–even at the point of compromising her own love story. Charlene still can’t wipe away her deepest fear that shakes her very core… Raven.
Raven Shaw grows up in her mother’s tiny Christian town Bellwood, North Carolina. She’s a feisty, confident young thing who won’t hesitate to use her fist when bullies mock her as a bastard. Overcoming teen depression, she finds love. A first love, a teenage romance to die for. Now, Raven can’t be fully committed to the man that has her heart until she learns shy she’s been neglected.
When their path’s collide, Raven asks to questions–two family secrets–that can ruin their lives, leading mother and child on the road of feeling like a “Miss Nobody”

Excerpt:

The instructor had on leggings, as if there wasn’t something bulging in the front of his pants. His belly protruded like a Teletubby. He wore a French beret cocked to the side of his head, and his silky, curly hair looked even better than Charlene’s.
Charlene didn’t find out how difficult the class was until standing on the stage in a historical theater attempting to “act.” Every time she read her lines, he shot her down.

“No! No! No! Charlene!” The instructor snapped his fingers as he walked onto the stage. Stiletto heels clicked on the floor emphasizing his disagreeable words. “More dismal. You’re acting is… shitty! I don’t even know how you got in my class.” He put Engine Red nails to his temples, massaged. Rolling his eyes, he added, “Ugh! Not another one–wasting your sugar daddy’s money because you’re bored when he’s working.”

Then he tried on his gloomy face, mascara eyelashes fluttered. “Listen, the script says that your husband has just cheated on you with a sexy man, almost as sexy as me! And you look like that? You must be ecstatic? Want your husband to leave?” He enunciates every word when explaining the script, as if English was her second language.

She huffed, having read the lines a thousand times. If only I hadn’t dreamed about Roy last night. Charlene had taken a couple of pills on the way to class. It was the only place she normally went without taking the Valium. Thinking about Raven, she contemplated what life would be like if she’d cared for her daughter. Her daughter would be starting senior year soon. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke the lines from memory, all the while, thinking about all the milestones in her daughter’s life that she would miss. Graduation…prom…tours to college campuses… In the zone, she began.

When she finished, the theater was quiet as the instructor and the other students stared at her. Warmth crept across her cheeks as she ran off the stage, feeling like a nobody. I was awful! I can’t act… great! Seventeen years and I can’t act!
In the empty bathroom, she grabbed tissue paper from one of the stalls and wiped her face. I don’t deserve to cry. I abandoned Raven for nothing. She opened her purse and pulled out the pills and took a breath. Then on second thought she put the pills back. Looking into the mirror, tussled her curly hair. She put a cold paper towel on her eyes to get rid of the redness. With her head held high, she walked back out of the restroom, into the theater, and onto the stage, ready for the instructor to ridicule her again.

A round of applause echoed across the room.

She was all smiles.

“Charlene, I felt sooooo sorry for you. Honey, with that face you can take a man for all his dough!” The instructor waved his hands around delicately for the crowd to stop applauding. When it was quiet, he added, “I think you’ve got it!” as he clapped, he jumped, he smiled as tears pooled at the corner of his eyes.

Charlene’s face streaked with streams of mascara. I can use my guilt over leaving Raven to my advantage!

Nicole Author photoNicole Dunlap holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Child Development, and a Masters Degree in Educational Counseling from Azusa Pacific University. She lives her dream of counseling in the inner city of San Bernardino; motivating teens dealing with depression, pregnancy, gang membership and abuse. But, she admits to two passions–writing being her first love. She has been self dubbed the “gumbo genre” novelist, because books shouldn’t be lightly seasoned… Her stories revolve around family and relationships, women’s issues, drizzled with drama, peppered with suspense, and finished off with aromatic notes of romance. The Shaw Family Saga pays homage to dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships, with well developed characters that readers can root for; love them, hate them, cry for, and most of all, yearn to flip through the pages to the end of that character’s journey.

Get to know Nicole:

When did you begin your writing journey?

I remember being in my mom’s busted-up car when I was little. We didn’t have a radio and had to travel from Long Beach to the desert. I’d sing–unfortunately, I was no Alicia Keys. I’d gotten threatened so many times to be put out, so I started telling stories.

Why the title “Miss Nobody”?

Though bound together by blood, mother and daughter–Charlene and Raven–, go through high-and-low moments in life. Charlene has abandoned Raven at birth. Just the thought of Raven puts her in fear to the point where she self-medicates. On the other end of the spectrum, Raven grows up and seems to be able to cope. However, after meeting each other, mother and daughter descend down a road of feeling like a ‘nobody.’

Where did you get the inspiration to write Miss Nobody?

I was initially inspired to write about Raven in this dysfunctional mother-daughter story. I counsel a lot of teens who’ve been abandoned by their parents. Some of them have a very tarnished outlook on reality. They grow older; and if lucky, overcome the negative mentality they’ve created. Others, like Raven, have a hard time coping.

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?

Miss Nobody shows that others’ can talk about you, hate you, bully you, but only you can determine the path you will take. Another take away is “what are the lengths that you will go for love. While Raven grows, she deals with “first love.” The world’s greatest man can come along, but it can be a very trying time for a woman whose been abandoned by her parents. How can another man love you when the two people who brought you in this world don’t? How can you love yourself?…These are just a few of the messages.

What sets your books apart from others in the same genre?

I write character-driven books where readers can fully relate. As humans–I’m only referencing those who strive for the best in themselves– we are neither perfect nor are we imperfect, villain or heroine. In The Shaw Family Saga, a reader may not like every character all the time, but at some point, will grow to love Charlene and Raven. The Shaw woman will rattle your nerves. That’s life. If readers don’t relate or feel for the characters because the book is solely focus on plot, why would the reader care about his or her issues?

What’s next for the Shaw girls? Will Charlene and Raven find peace?

I’ve already published the second book in the Shaw Family Saga, Miss Scandalous. It will present new family secrets. Charlene will have a trying time coping with the anger that Raven has built. Can a mother’s love overcome a daughters revenge? Well, Miss Scandalous will bring the jaw-dropping moments of drama and suspense. Their faith and love will continue to be tested.
Where can your fans reach you?

I’m a Pinterest fanatic and have picture boards for Raven and Charlene. Feel free to Facebook or tweet with me about anything under the sun. I have book discussions for book clubs at the back of my novels and enjoy being invited to meetings.